Attending an F1 Grand Prix can be one of the most memorable experiences of your life. There is nothing that can prepare you for the engineering eat that is an F1 Grand Prix vehicle, and how fast they can travel around tight corners.
But if you do not prepare properly, your day at the races can quickly turn into a day you would rather forget.
This article includes eight important tips you should consider when planning your day at the F1 to make sure you and your race day companions have the best day possible. A little bit of planning will go a long way toward increasing the chance to have a day to remember.
Plan and Have Backup Transportation
The F1 Grand Prix is one of the best shows that most motorcar fans enjoy – and it happens that there are many of them. Therefore, you should expect a sizeable crowd as people storm to the stands to watch their favorite drivers race on the tracks. In that case, it is usually best to plan and know how the day will pan out to avoid any unpleasant surprises that could stress you out.
Over the years, F1 Grand Prix competitions have experienced huge crowd surges, making the shuttles insufficient for everyone attending. That might coerce you into walking over long distances, which can be tiring. Bringing your private car with you might come in handy and ease the movements to and from your home.
Prepare with Everything You Need
You might have to spend the entire day in the track fields, even though Grand Prix races only take about 90 minutes. Remember, the day stretches out with lots of fun activities to indulge you and your family, and you might, for the most part, have to be outdoors in the sun. Therefore, it’s always recommended that you carry protective gear, including sunscreens, eye shades, and a hat. Don’t forget to put on comfortable shoes that make walking easy – because there is a good chance you are going to do a lot of it.
As you prepare for the sun, also keep in mind that you might be exposed to some inclement weather. Have a plan in place, and some basic gear to protect you in the event of a downpour. You can cheaply get some emergency ponchos that do not take up much space in your backpack and they are very effective at keeping you and your backpack dry if it does rain.
Carry Some Binoculars
Binoculars are a staple for most F1 grand Prix fans because they’re handy to help improve visibility where you can hardly make out the car details as they whizz by. Of course, most race track stands have giant screens that magnify everything for you, and it’s fair to say that you won’t struggle much. However, actively engaging your eyes and watching the cars take on one another is more exciting.
To maximize your view, you can get f1 paddock club tickets.
Help Your Kids Have Fun
If you are bringing your kids along, ensure they make the most of the day.
The good thing is that this sport’s promoters understand their fans. They have it in mind that not everyone attends these competitions for the thrill of the race, but to enjoy the overall experience.
Your kids are always considered, and they’ll find numerous bouncing castles and other activities to engage in while at the Gran Prix.
If your children are very young, then they may not enjoy attending a Grand Prix. You could prepare them by showing them some Grand Prix races on TV and introducing them to the concept before attending the event. That way they will know what to expect.
If you are an F1 fan, you should consider how you will enjoy the day if you take your child and they are not happy to be there and do not want to be watching the race. It could be a strain on your experience and memory of the event, whilst being a negative experience for your child, and not encouraging them to attend a future F1 event.
Get Protection For Your Ears
Supercars are loud, and that’s a no-brainer. The Ferraris and McLarens can burst your eardrums as their engines rev on the tracks. So do your ears a little favor with some ear protection. You don’t have to go all in with 3M Peltor Optime defenders, but some noise-canceling earbuds or headphones can work well.
The cars make so much noise that you will still be able to hear them clearly, but you will be able to enjoy the noise rather than be overwhelmed by it.
Take Your Food
You might want to bring along your food, and here’s why: Grand Prix foods are relatively expensive, and you won’t enjoy them as much. That’s not suggesting you don’t have to buy something, since this food is usually tasty and it is part of the overall experience. However, they aren’t so filling if you’re on a budget, and you might spend more cash than you want to. Most Grand Prix competitions allow their fans to bring their food, so it shouldn’t be an issue. Also, please be sure to carry enough water with you as you never know how long it might between drink stands.
Don’t Carry Glass or Umbrellas
While you can carry virtually anything into the Grand Prix competition – except for a gun, of course – glass isn’t so allowed. It’s against policy for most, if not for all Grand Prix competitions, and your glass bottles and other items might be confiscated.
You can carry virtually anything but glass, including disposable plastic and other materials.
The argument is that broken glass can not only littler the tracks but create safety hazards to the race cars and people around. Umbrellas also aren’t allowed since they’re a nuisance, blocking others’ sight and giving them a hell of a day.
Extra Batteries for Your Camera
You might spend the entire day outside, so please don’t forget to carry a few extra, fully charged batteries for your camera. That is handy, helping you capture every moment worth reminiscing about and remembering for a long time. You can also carry an extra charger, or power bank, to give your phone battery a top-up when it goes low on power.
Final Thoughts
We all know the saying ‘failing to plan, is planning to fail. This is very true when preparing to attend the F1 Grand Prix. But by following the steps and advice included in this article, you will ensure you have a fun and memorable day that you can talk about for years to come.
